red bumps on the back of your arms, anyone got em? Options

[jackizzle]

ok sorry if there's already been a topic on this but does anyone have like lil bums on the bak of their arms? like the part that's right by your sleeves, mine is like bumpy with red bumps... i don't know what it's from! i tried putting lotion on it and like putting a warm wash cloth on it in the shower but i dont know what it is! its starting to bug me.. so i was jsut wondering if anyone has/had it or knows what it is..

[MeLoNiSyUmMy]

allergies..iget them too and also on the top of my thighs. use a lot of soap..and lather it up and wash ur arms or get clarisil and wash ur arms. it works..REALLY well.

[Teesa]

^yes, but don't wash too much because then your skin will be too dry which can cause more.

[RandomHero]

ah, I saw that one some girl that sat in front of me. It looked like small pimples. x[

[jordanriane]

It's okay, you don't have an allergy, and you don't have a disease. You just have sensitive skin, which gets very irritated during the winter month, and gets a bit better during the summer.

Here's a few things to read up on it. They describe the "problem" with different names, but they're almost the same.

What are these bumps on my arms?

Q: Dear Nurse:

I have many little bumps all over my upper arms. I've had them for as long as I can remember. They look like I have the goose bumps but they never go away. If I scratch them they turn white and I can also scratch them right off. Please tell me if I can get rid of them and how without seeing a doctor. Thanks!

A: Dear Patient:

It is always difficult to know without looking at these bumps. But, it sounds like a seborrheic dermatitis. This is not a disease, but a condition seen frequently in people. It tends to be worse in the winter months and better during warm weather.

Moisturizing this area with vaseline cream seems to work the best, and leaving your arms unconvered as much as possible will also help.

Good Luck, Cariliondoc
from: http://www.carilion.com/yw/html/qaskin.html#qaskin8

Problem: Since I was five or six, I have had little bumps on the backs of my upper arms and now they have spread to other areas of my body. They don't hurt (although they itch sometimes) but they are very annoying. I read that these are Keratosis pilaris, a genetically inherited skin disorder caused by the skin's inability to exfoliate itself. Does this sound right? If so, what treatment options are available?

Solution: The diagnosis sounds fairly right-on. Keratosis pilaris is very common, finding a home on the upper arms, thighs, and shoulders. Keratosis pilaris tends to be more severe during the winter months but no one is sure why that is the case and it definitely isn't consistent for everyone. Basically, the bumpy rough spots are clogged pores that sometimes get red and irritated but rarely itch. Regrettably there is no available cure or universally effective treatment, though it is generally well accepted that unclogging pores and reducing inflammation can improve matters greatly (Source: eMedicine Journal, July 2, 2001, Volume 2, Number 7).

Lactic acid (a very effective form of alpha hydroxy acid) can help exfoliate skin cells, but lactic acid isn't effective for dissolving lipids, so it can't penetrate into the pore and exfoliate the lining of the pore that is a major cause of the problem. For that, you would need a beta hydroxy acid product with the active ingredient salicylic acid and a pH low enough for exfoliation to occur. It is also helpful to avoid bar soaps that can irritate skin or cause clogged pores. A gentle body shampoo is best. The recommendation to scrub away the plugs can mean you inflame the area and still leave the skin feeling rough and bumpy below the surface where the abrasive can't reach.

Another common condition that can manifest itself as visible red bumps on the arms and thighs is bacterial folliculitis. This inflammatory condition involves an infection of the hair follicle by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It begins with mild swelling and redness around the hair follicle and may eventually become small, inflamed pustules. This condition is most common in persons with a lot of body hair, but can occur on anyone. The most common form of prescribed treatment is a course of oral antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins) but topically applied antibiotics are also helpful (Source: The Skin Sourcebook, 1998, pages 162--164). You can also try treating the affected area with daily application of a product containing 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide. This topical disinfectant is often helpful in keeping these inflamed, acne-like bumps under control.

Paula Begoun
from: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article....FER=SKIN&ID=105

Also, if you really have a problem with it, or what to get actual professional advice, ask your mom about it, and maybe sugguest seeing a dermatoligist. That's what my mom did about the bumps on my arms. I've had them since I was probably around 5 or so.. I usually just make sure I put on some baby oil in the winter, to give it a bit of extra moisture, or I just live with it. I'm just used to it. During the summer it usually tens to not be as noticeable as it is during the winter.

[angelrevelation]

i do, but they aren't too noticeable. they only get red if i scratch or pick at them
heh actually i just looked at my arms and i dont have bumps anymore

This post has been edited by angel_revelation: Mar 17 2005, 02:26 AM

[misoshiru]

i have them. you need to eat more veggies and less meat.

[EmmalieV]

I have the same damn probelm Ive been having since I was younger but they seem to be going away.

[someflipguy]

Ive seen people that have it, don't know how to get rid of them!

[xo_rock]

FINALLY!
SOMEONE HAS THE SAME THING AS ME. its not allergies (well atleast i dont think) i went to the dermatologist to get it checked out and they actually have medicines for you to put on it (its just types of lotions, but with prescriptions in it)..well i have been putting this lotion on for 2 weeks, and i can already notice it going away sorta.
(the dermatologist said it normally runs through families, and if i didnt go i couldve ended up with scars.)

[ilauqh]

ihave them too! ihad to go to the dermetologist (cant spell) for something else but iasked him about that too and he said it has to do with sensitive hair focules on ur arms or something and theres nothing u can do bout it. i was so upset bout that but he said they might go away as u get older. hopefully! a lot more ppl have them than i thought! i feel better too =]

[parallel]

Nope..don't have em..I know people who do though..I guess since you said they are by your sleeve area..that it might come from your clothing..allergies I guess..

[*lolita kitty*]

ive seen those before on other people. i always thought they were pimples or something... ok wow im weird 0.o

but i dont gots em ;]

[jordanriane]

Honestly, I love the amount of people that actually skip past the posts that are quite informative.

x__forever, it takes a little more to get rid of them then by just eating more vegetables. I'm a vegetarian and I still have them, for most of my life I did eat meat. So that has nothing to do with it.

[Shattered_Hope]

I don't have it.

[ItzOnlySydney]

yea. my mom and my friend caitlin do. they said they've always had them *shrugs*

[hpsm2]

i have them too.

[xXgWenZilLaXx]

i get that during winter and especially if i go soemwhere cold. my advice is to put vaseline one it cuz vaseline works ebtter than lotion. plus lotion makes it sting

[..:loveee.NuTTii]

I have them on my legs. Is that the same thing?
I use vaseline cream on it and it gets better...but I can't wear skirts cuz of all those oogly bumps =(

[miszSERENiTY]

No, but my friend does...